Government Network Test Engineer

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory - Laurel, MD

Full-time - Mid Level

Laurel, MD

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

About the position

As a Government Network Test Engineer at The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), you will play a crucial role in evaluating the performance of networks and networked systems. Your primary responsibility will be to correlate network performance with application operation, ultimately proposing actionable solutions and recommendations for improvement. This position requires a blend of disciplined engineering practices and creativity, allowing you to understand and enhance the use of voice, video, and data applications alongside the underlying networks and systems. You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to provide meaningful insights into the operations of sophisticated and critical systems that support national security. APL fosters an environment of collaboration, innovation, and application, making it an exciting place to work. In this role, you will design and lead test and evaluation efforts to ensure the functionality and performance of network components and systems. You will be responsible for preparing, executing, and analyzing post-event results, detailing your work in technical reports and memoranda, and presenting outcomes to sponsors and the technical community. Additionally, you will interact with technical specialists from various fields as part of a multidisciplinary team and provide mentorship to support the growth and development of early career staff.

Responsibilities

• Design and lead test and evaluation efforts to ensure the function and performance of network components and systems.
• Lead the preparation, execution, and post-event analysis efforts.
• Detail work in technical reports and memoranda and present outcomes to sponsors and the technical community.
• Interact with technical specialists in other fields as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Provide mentorship to support early career staff growth and development.

Requirements

• Possess a Bachelor's degree in information technology or science, computer science, electrical or computer engineering, or another related technical field.
• Have at least ten years of relevant experience working with DoD network systems.
• Be proficient in all aspects of testing including test plan development, network instrumentation selection, test execution, analysis, and reporting.
• Be familiar with foundational computer networking technology such as routers, switches, and security appliances.
• Be able to describe the operation of key inter-networking and network security protocols at Layers 2, 3, and 4.
• Be willing and able to travel periodically, up to 25%.
• Be able to obtain an Interim Top Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain a TS/SCI level clearance.

Nice-to-haves

• Possess a Master's degree or PhD in information technology or science, computer science, electrical or computer engineering, or another related technical field.
• Have experience with wired and wireless technologies and standards at Layer 1.
• Have experience with protocols at Layer 5+ and understand how lower layers affect their performance.
• Have hands-on experience designing and directing complex test events which require coordinated action at multiple locations.
• Hold an active Top Secret security clearance.

Benefits

• Generous benefits including a robust education assistance program.
• Unparalleled retirement contributions.
• Healthy work/life balance.